8 July 2026
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Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post
The Strategic Power of Product Licensing: How to Commercialise Your Innovation "A licensing partnership is more than a signed contract. It’s built on strategic alignment, clearly defined rights and responsibilities, and a shared commitment to create value." This insight, shared by Clara Bouffard, a Manager Licensed Business for a major global consumer brand, highlights an [...]
23 June 2026
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Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post
How to Fund Your Product Idea: A Practical UK Guide for Inventors We are keeping you up to date on how to fund your idea, particularly with two new schemes for inventors: Alibaba Co-Create (a platform designed to simplify sourcing and prototyping for new product development) and Innovate UK’s Innovation Loans (a government-backed initiative aimed [...]
22 June 2026
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LucyPenfold | Comments are off for this post
Design Innovation in Plastics: final six students present their concepts to the judges After a tense but fascinating morning in London on May 8, the Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) judging panel had high praise for the standards set by this year’s finalists. All six finalists brought prototypes of their products to the final [...]
23 March 2026
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Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post
Crowdfunding - 6 things you need to know in 2026 Have you thought about using crowdfunding to kick off your new project idea? Whether you are testing an early concept or ready to ship thousands of units, crowdfunding helps you build a community while you build your product. The year 2025 showcased several successful innovators [...]
27 November 2025
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Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post
Is ChatGPT Safe for Inventors & Innovators? We live in an era of instant answers. With the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, it has never been easier to brainstorm, draft emails, or research market trends. However, this convenience brings new risks for inventors. Recently, our Innovation Coaches have raised [...]
15 October 2025
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Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post
What is a patent worth? Some recent headlines have suggested that patents are overrated, costly, or even pointless. This message can be discouraging, especially for innovators, startup founders, or SMEs trying to protect their ideas. At Innovate Design, we often meet inventors who have already spent tens of thousands of pounds on patent applications before [...]
18 June 2025
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Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post
Why Licensing May Be the Best Move You Can Make With Your Invention Got a great invention? One of the first big choices you'll face is whether to license it to an established company or bring it to market yourself. Both routes have their pros and cons. Licensing can offer speed and scalability, while manufacturing [...]
12 September 2024
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James Mcinerny | Comments are off for this post
Why The World Needs Your Idea In a world saturated with innovations, it’s easy to think that your idea may not make a difference. However, even the smallest concepts can spark change, transform industries, and improve lives. Whether you've had an idea for a new product, app, t-shirt or snack, the world may need your [...]
20 August 2024
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James Mcinerny | Comments are off for this post
The Signs It's Time To Take Your Idea Seriously Taking an idea more seriously is about moving from casual consideration to meaningful action. Here are some signs that an idea could be worth more of your attention. You keep coming back to it Persistent thoughts about an idea over weeks, months or even years could [...]
14 August 2024
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Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post
The Road to Breaking Records: MATE X's Crowdfunding Success In the bustling streets of Copenhagen, where 62% of the population bikes to work daily, siblings Julie and Christian found inspiration for a game-changing idea. While the city’s cycling infrastructure is top-notch, they recognised that not every town is as bike-friendly. To make cycling more accessible [...]
